Bird feeder placement calculator
Move the feeder to within 3 ft of the glass or beyond 30 ft. Between the two, birds flushed from the feeder reach full speed before they hit the reflection.
Move the pole to at least 10 ft from the launch point; it sits higher than the feeder, so squirrels can drop onto it from above. Need 2 ft more.
Fit a pole baffle with its lower edge 4 to 5 ft above the ground. Squirrels leap about 5 ft straight up.
Squirrels jump roughly 8 to 10 feet sideways and 4 to 5 feet straight up, and they can drop onto a feeder from a higher launch point. The window rule is the American Bird Conservancy guidance: close feeders stop birds building lethal speed, far feeders keep them out of the reflection zone.
Poles, baffles and window markers that fix a bad spot
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
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Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
How far should a bird feeder be from a window?
Either within 3 feet of the glass or more than 30 feet away. A feeder very close to the window means a bird taking off cannot build enough speed to be hurt if it hits the glass, while a feeder beyond 30 feet keeps birds out of the zone where reflections fool them. The distances in between are the most dangerous, which is where many people put feeders so they can watch.
How far can a squirrel jump to a bird feeder?
Gray squirrels jump roughly 8 to 10 feet horizontally and about 4 to 5 feet straight up from the ground. That is why the usual rule is a pole at least 10 feet from trees, fences, decks and roof edges, with a baffle whose bottom edge sits 4 to 5 feet up. A launch point higher than the feeder adds a drop-down risk, so give extra distance there.
How high should a bird feeder be off the ground?
Most hanging and pole feeders work best 4 to 6 feet up, which keeps them within easy refill reach and above the jump height of squirrels when paired with a baffle. Ground-feeding birds such as juncos, doves and towhees prefer a low tray a few inches off the ground instead, placed near but not inside dense cover.
How close should a feeder be to trees or shrubs?
About 10 to 12 feet from dense cover is the usual target. Close enough that small birds can dart to shelter when a hawk appears, but far enough that a cat hiding in the shrubs cannot reach the feeder in one pounce. The same trees should still be at least 10 feet away horizontally so squirrels cannot jump across.
Does a baffle work on a shepherd hook?
A cone or stovepipe baffle works on a shepherd hook only if the hook stands at least 10 feet from anything a squirrel can jump from and the baffle sits 4 to 5 feet up. Many hooks are placed near a deck or fence, which lets squirrels jump straight past the baffle to the feeder. A dome baffle above the feeder helps against drops from above.